Parks and Rec begins work on new master plan

This month, Gunnison Parks and Recreation began gathering community feedback for a new master plan, set to replace the current plan drafted in 2015.

Outreach began on July 16 at a Gunnison Resiliency Project Music Cruise afterparty hosted by Sanctuary Somatics at South Main Street. The department solicited input from hundreds of residents at the event. An online survey will be available until Aug. 6, and give Gunnison residents a chance to guide the city’s future recreational priorities.

“The purpose is for us to be able to understand what the community needs are, and where we might have some gaps in our current programming or facilities,” said City Manager Amanda Wilson. “Then we’ll be able to get those into a comprehensive document that we can start budgeting for and planning for in the future.”

For example, in 2015, the ten-year plan included goals to construct pickleball courts and additional trails. Parks and Recreation Director Dan Vollendorf said the majority of the 2015 goals have been accomplished, prompting the need for a new master plan.

Both the Town of Crested Butte, and the Gunnison County Metropolitan Recreation District (MetRec) are also going through a master planning process. While regional and North valley priorities center around outdoor field space, indoor recreation and additional trails, the City of Gunnison’s master plan will focus on South valley-specific needs. However, Vollendorf said it has still been vital to collaborate with the other organizations.

“There is a lot of planning going on, and we’re trying to keep our eyes on all of it,” Vollendorf said. “We want the end goal to be aligned and cohesive with the other recreation stakeholders in our community.”

Although Vollendorf said he has not yet reviewed the results, common themes have already arisen, including requests for a longer ice season at the Jorgensen Ice Rink and trail connectivity within town.

Vollendorf plans to present the survey results at an upcoming city council meeting. The new master plan is expected to be completed at the end of 2025.

To participate in the online survey, visit gunnisonco.gov/PRmasterplan.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@gunnisontimes.com.)